PSYCHIC TV

"Hell Is Invisible... Heaven Is Her/e"

Cargo Records / Sweet Nothing - 2007

CD

One of the latest and most interesting surprises is surely this brand-new CD by Psychic TV (meanwhile turned into PTV3 to underline the historical name's third incarnation), arrived three years after the striking de-tour that marked their return. Genesis Breyer P. Orridge and his new company collect in this bizarrely-titled CD the atmospheres and feelings born in that 2004 tour, most of whose songs are here featured in studio versions.

You've probably already read or heard about this album in terms of a deep cut with the past or of "commercial degenerations"... nothing could be more untrue! Definitively left behind the acid house experience, "Hell Is Invisible... Heaven Is Her/e" goes back to the PTV of mid 80s', those of "Godstar", "Allegory & Self" and the infamous 23 live series. Indeed, three songs from the latter ("She Touched Me", "Riot In Thee Eyes Of Sky" and "I Like You") have been recorded in studio for the first time, reworked and with different titles, but easily recognizable. We are, therefore, in front of a fresh and unleashed rock band, able to mix psychedelia, The Velvet Underground, funk guitars, hypnotic electronic lines and a genuine noisy attitude.

The album starts with the rocking "Higher And Higher" to then enter the disturbing "In Thee Body", with those howling wolves also heard on some of the 23 lives, later coming across the striking "Lies, And Then" (aka "She Touched Me"), sweet and delicate "New York Story", not by chance very close to the early Velvet Underground, hypnotic and mantric "I Don't Think So", and, in the end, goes back riding on the powerful notes of "Hookah Chalice" (also known as "Riot In Thee Eyes Of Sky") and "Just Because" (alias "I Like You"). The only not completely convincing moments are the final ritual of "Milk Baba" and messed-up "BB". On the whole, anyway, this return of Psychic TV is much welcome, fresh and original, surely among this year's best releases. Recommended to both old and new adepts.

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.genesisp-orridge.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ptv3